Images

For your first writing assignment, you choose ONE work of art from the options provided in the Formal Analysis Presentation located in the Module section of Canvas.  You may choose from any of the works in slides 22 through 33.  You will then write a formal analysis essay about your selected work of art.

WHAT IS A FORMAL ANALYSIS ESSAY?
The goal of a formal analysis is to explain how the formal elements of a work of art affect the representation of the subject matter and expressive content.  The emphasis should be on analyzing the formal elements – not interpreting the artwork.

Getting started:
It may be helpful to start by looking at the work of art and identifying the visual elements.  How are they arranged?  Is the work balanced?  Is there a focal point?  Is there a sense of movement?  You might consider why the artist chose to include certain elements and how each element contributes to your response to the work.

Formal elements possible: line (which includes contour lines, lines of direction or movement, line quality), shape, volume, mass, color (which includes hue, value, saturation, intensity, temperature – warm/cool, primary/secondary, complementary), texture (physical and implied), space, motion and time, and value (highlights, darks, contrast between them).

Formal principles possible: contrast, balance, unity, variety, rhythm, emphasis, pattern, scale, proportions, and focal point.

THESIS STATEMENT: Your thesis should provide a framework for your analysis and suggest your interpretation of how the elements and principles effect the artwork.  A thesis statement does not necessarily involve a statement of argument or original insight, but it should let the reader know how the artist’s formal choices affect the viewer.

Example of an effective thesis statement:
In Crucifixion of Saint Peter, Caravaggio uses high value contrast, asymmetrical balance, shape, implied motion, and line to capture the anguish of Saint Peter and provide a dramatic and sensational experience of the crucifixion event.

THE ANALYSIS: Although describing the work is an essential part of a formal analysis, the description alone is not enough.  You must put the description of the formal elements into specific context in order for the reader to understand how each element influences the work’s overall effect on the viewer.  You may include your emotional responses to a work, but you must account for and identify the formal elements that contribute to your response.

Example of effective analysis: The high value contrast of the dark background and stark highlights on the figures recalls stage lighting, creating a sense of drama and piercing focus on the figures in the foreground.  The asymmetry of the composition contributes to feelings of action and movement.  This affects the energy of the space the figures occupy and adds to the feeling or implication of motion.  The diagonal lines used in the position of St. Peter’s body and cross add movement and create a more dynamic composition.  The downward direction of the central figure enhances the morbid quality of the scene, as the body descends down towards death.  Caravaggio shows great detail in the musculature of the figures, emphasizing the twisting tension in St. Peter’s body.  The diagonal lines that define the poses of the surrounding figures add to the sense of movement – this composition is a cluster of opposing angles, which increases the sense of physical force and stress displayed in the movement of the characters.

Note: All description and analysis should relate to your thesis.

Suggested Structure for a Formal Analysis:

Introduction: The introduction should identify the title of the work of art, the name of the artist, the date when it was created, and the medium.  You may also choose to indicate the period when it was made, or biographical information about the artist.  This information may not be available for the work you select to write about, and it does not specifically contribute to the exercise of formal analysis.  Typically, your introduction should include your thesis statement, which will suggest the content of the work in order to introduce the formal elements you have chosen to analyze.

Body/Development of Analysis:  Each element you discuss in your paper should be analyzed in its own paragraph, using clear and direct organization.  It is advisable to start each paragraph with a topic sentence about the importance of the element you will be analyzing, and to end each paragraph with a concluding statement.  You may also choose to organize your analyses of the different formal elements around a focal point, or major figures in the work, or any other important effects in the composition.

Conclusion: The conclusion may give a rundown on your findings and relate back to the theme described in your introduction, but the concluding paragraph needs to do more than this.  You should not just repeat what you stated in the introduction.  You may include new ideas, insights, or understandings you gained about the work through the analysis process.

**REQUIREMENTS FOR PAPER**
– Your assignment must be typed and submitted to Canvas as a Word or PDF file.  You must use 11 or 12 point font, with standard margins.  Your papers may be double spaced.  Your paper should be around 3-5 pages in length.  You should have a minimum of three full pages typed.  Assignments that fall short on providing detailed and thoughtful responses will receive less credit.

– Papers that are late, or do not complete the instructions of the assignment will not receive full credit.  Papers that are poorly written and contain multiple spelling and grammatical errors will receive less credit.  Plan ahead and get an early start on your assignment.  This allows for plenty of proof-reading and revisions.

IMPORTANT: You must use your own words when writing this assignment.  It is prohibited to plagiarize and copy information from other sources, including the internet and books.  If you include any quotes from the reading or another source, you must properly cite them to give the recognition to the original source.  Papers will be checked for plagiarism.  If a paper contains more than 20% of duplicate content that is not sourced, the paper will receive an automatic F, as a failing grade.
If you do properly source material and include it in your paper, keep in mind that there are limits to how many quotes you should include.  This assignment calls for your writing, and if you turn in a paper with multiple long quotes of other people’s words, where these quotes account for the majority of your paper, you will lose points.  Citing other material and including it in your paper should be used only when you feel that the quote specifically adds to your argument or description.
You must use complete sentences and proper grammar.   This is an outside of class assignment, with ample time given for completion.  Remember to proof-read, use spell check, and if necessary, submit your paper to writing tutoring resources.  You will lose points for spelling and grammar errors.

Take care to NOT RELY ON RESEARCH MATERIALS!  This is NOT a research assignment – you will only need to look at your chosen work of art and offer descriptions of your own observations.  If your essay contains large portions of quoted material about the meaning behind the art, or the artist’s life, this will NOT HELP YOU achieve a better grade.